Schools ‘peace deal’

AN EXTRA $4.4 billion would be poured into the Catholic and independent schools system over the next decade under a “peace deal” that Malcolm Turnbull’s allies say was just days from agreement before the former PM was knifed.

The offer came with the condition Catholic education authorities adopt a true needs-based funding model which took into account parents capacity to pay school fees. A second leak in as many days from within Liberal ranks threatens new PM Scott Morrison’s attempts to unify his Government.